Overview
The World War II Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument is located on a cliff eight miles west of Normandy American Cemetery, which overlooks Omaha Beach, France. It was erected by the French to honor elements of the American Second Ranger Battalion under the command of Lt. Col. James E. Rudder. During the American assault of Omaha and Utah beaches on June 6, 1944, these U.S. Army Rangers scaled the 100-foot cliffs and seized the German artillery pieces that could have fired on the American landing troops at Omaha and Utah beaches. At a high cost of life, they successfully defended against determined German counterattacks.
By mid-1944, German forces manned formidable defenses along the French coast. Of concern to the Allies were German 155mm artillery positions on Pointe du Hoc. They could wreak havoc on Utah and Omaha Beaches. Lt. Col. James E. Rudder, commanding the 2nd Ranger Battalion, received the mission to land at 6:30 a.m., scale the 100 foot cliffs, and disable the German positions. Lt. Col. Max F. Schneider’s 5th Ranger Battalion would follow and reinforce them.
June 6, 5:50 a.m.: Naval bombardment of Pointe du Hoc began, including guns of the battleship USS Texas. Three companies (70 men per) of Rudder’s 2nd Ranger Battalion were to land at Pointe du Hoc at 6:30 a.m., but were delayed. Per plan, Schneider’s command (plus three companies of the 2nd) joined the Omaha Beach assault.
June 6, 7:10 a.m.: Two landing craft were lost, but the Rangers debarked and started up the cliffs. They pressed upward, supported by the destroyer USS Satterlee. One of the Rangers’ DUKWs was disabled by enemy fire en route to Pointe du Hoc. The engine failed. Three Rangers were casualties, including one killed.
June 6, 7:40 a.m.: Most of the remaining Rangers reached the top.
June 6, 9:30 a.m.: The Germans had previously moved the guns southward from their initial prepared positions. Despite fierce resistance, Rangers found and destroyed the guns pushing onward to cut the highway south of Pointe du Hoc.
June 6-8: After fighting two days, only about 90 Rangers stood when relieved by Schneider’s Rangers and the 29th Division from Omaha Beach.
The monument consists of a simple granite pylon positioned atop a German concrete bunker with tablets at its base inscribed in French and English. The monument was formally transferred to ABMC for perpetual care and maintenance on January 11, 1979. This battle-scarred area on the left flank of Omaha Beach remains much as the Rangers left it.
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Cemetery Information
Visiting Hours
Pointe du Hoc is open to the public daily. Hours of operation for the visitor center are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from April 1 to September 30, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year. It is open on host country holidays. To ensure your safety, stay on the designated walking path. Because the site has remained relatively unchanged since 1944, large bomb craters and uneven ground fill the landscape.
Contact Us
Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument
14450 Cricqueville-en-Bessin
France
Directions
GPS Coordinates:
49°
23'
34"
N
,
0°
59'
24"
W
Pointe du Hoc sits on cliffs overlooking the English Channel. The site is seven miles west of Normandy American Cemetery.
Travel via Car
From Paris, travel via highway A-13 to Caen. Continue onto N-13 towards Bayeux in the direction of Cherbourg. continue onto D-517 into St. Laurent-sur-Mer and then turn left on D-514 towards Pointe du Hoc. At a roundabout 6 miles west of St. Laurent-sur-Mer, you will see a sign that reads La Pointe du Hoc. Follow this sign to reach the parking lot.
Travel via Train
There is train service between Paris (Gare St. Lazare) and Bayeaux, where taxi and tour bus service is available. Travel by rail takes approximately three hours.
Travel via Airplane
Paris is approximately 180 miles east of Pointe du Hoc.
Lodging
Hotels are available in Bayeux and Port-en-Bessin.
Publications
News & Events
Download this infographic to see where ABMC sites are located throughout the world.
The existing visitor center will double in size to 3,580 square feet in order to accommodate a new exhibit gallery and theater space.
Experience the history of Pointe du Hoc, and tour this World War II D-Day landing site in France with the Pointe du Hoc mobile application.
Experience the history of World War II through a new interactive timeline. View maps, watch videos, see photos and read about the events that shaped the war.